A programme of maintenance and improvement for Hampshire's schools will soon be under way, thanks to a £15m windfall from Whitehall.

Hampshire County Council was awarded it as part of the New Deal for Schools (NDS), to address building priorities for the coming year.

This is the highest allocation to any single council and brings the total of NDS condition funds to HCC over the last three years to over £35m.

Priorities include external decoration and repairs, re-cladding of SCOLA buildings, re-roofing, replacement of windows and boilers, greater electrical safety and extra precautions against fire.

The county council will work with the construction industry over the next two years to meet the DfES timescale for committing and spending the money.

HCC leader, Ken Thornber, said: "This is an opportunity to get large volumes of school repair and maintenance projects off the ground. It will be used for 111 projects - one in five schools. And 330 have already benefited.

"By working with our key school contractors, we will be able to get the work done quickly and efficiently. Those with a proven track record will benefit, whilst our schools can be reassured that the work will be done to the highest standard and on time."